Great books heading for the big screen in 2018
You’ve read the book, now see the movie. We take a look at a few of the best adaptations heading to the big screen this year
A WRINKLE IN TIME
By MADELEINE L’ENGLE, Square Fish What it’s about When scientist Dr Alexander Murry goes missing while working on a topsecret government project, his 13-yearold daughter, Meg, embarks on a fantastic journey through time and space to find him. She’s accompanied by three otherworldly companions, Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who and Mrs Which. Based on the much-loved 1963 novel, the film is directed by Ava DuVernay, best known for the Oscar-winning movie Selma. Starring Around 70 girls auditioned to play Meg. Storm Reid (12 Years a Slave) was eventually cast in the role. Reese Witherspoon plays Mrs Whatsit, Mindy Kaling is Mrs Who and Oprah Winfrey plays Mrs Which. RELEASE DATE: 9 March Did you know? This is the first time a black female director will direct a film with such a large budget – $100 million (about R1,2 billion).
BOY ERASED
By GARRARD CONLEY, Riverhead What it’s about When Jared, the son of a Baptist pastor, is outed as gay he’s faced with a difficult decision: go through a church conversion programme to “cure” him of his sexuality or risk losing his family. Starring Lucas Hedges stars as Jared, and Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as his conservative parents in this movie directed by Joel Edgerton. Troye Sivan, who starred in the popular Spud movies, also makes an appearance. RELEASE DATE: 26 October Did you know? Conley’s memoir was released in 2016 and focused on his own experiences growing up in Arkansas in the US.
READY PLAYER ONE
By ERNEST CLINE, Random House What it’s about It’s 2044 and the world is so polluted and overcrowded that people seek refuge in Oasis, a virtual-reality simulator. Its creator, James Halliday, has hidden an Easter egg [bonus feature] inside his artificial world and when he dies he stipulates that whomever finds it will inherit his entire fortune. Five years after Halliday’s death teenager Wade Watts hunts down the first clue, triggering a high-stakes race to find the egg. Starring Steven Spielberg directs the fantasy blockbuster based on Cline’s 2011 debut novel which stars Tye Sheridan (Mud, Dark Places and X-Men: Apocalypse) as Wade. RELEASE DATE: 30 March Did you know? Author Ernest Cline is currently working on the sequel.
WHERE’D YOU GO, BERNADETTE
By MARIA SEMPLE, Back Bay Books What it’s about Based on the light-hearted 2012 novel, it tells the tale of Bernadette Fox, an agoraphobic architect and mother who goes missing just before a family holiday to Antarctica. Her 15-year-old daughter, Bee, hunts for clues that will explain her disappearance. Starring Cate Blanchett, Kristen Wiig, Billy Crudup and Laurence Fishburne. RELEASE DATE: To be confirmed Did you know? The movie is directed by American filmmaker Richard Linklater who’s best known for Boyhood, Before Sunrise, and Dazed and Confused.
ANNIHILATION
By JEFF VANDERMEER, Farrar Straus and Giroux What it’s about The thriller, based on the first part of the Southern Reach Trilogy, follows four women (a biologist, anthropologist, psychologist and surveyor) who set out for the remote and dangerous Area X. They’re the 12th team to venture to the area – all the previous expeditions were fraught with disappearances, suicides, aggressive cancers and mental trauma. Starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez and Tessa Thompson star as the four women in this movie directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina). RELEASE DATE: 23 February Did you know? VanderMeer has revealed that the ending of the movie is “mind-blowing” and different from the one in his book.
ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES
By JENNIFER NIVEN, Alfred A Knopf What it’s about Teenagers Theodore Finch and Violet Markey’s paths collide in their school’s bell tower – one of them is there intent on committing suicide but it’s not clear who saves whom. Theodore suffers from chronic mental illness while Violet is haunted by memories of her sister’s death. A quirky friendship develops. Starring Elle Fanning and Cole Spouse. RELEASE DATE: To be confirmed Did you know? This 2015 young adult novel has been compared to John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars.